Buffet for 55 gallon?

[Captain Kitty]

I acquired an older buffet and I'd like to use it for my 55 gallon. It holds me just fine jumping up and down on it (215lbs of weirdness) but I'm concerned about the weight of a filled tank as I know it can easily weight more than twice what I do. Has anyone ever done this with success or is it advisable to reinforce the buffet on the inside? If the latter, any tips?
I'll post pics of the refurbishing and completed tank once I know it's feasible.

[247Plants]

pics? kinda hard to tell without seeing a physical representation of what we are talking about.

[Captain Kitty]

erm, excellent point. I'll have to get some up tomorrow as it is late and the wife would likely lock the door to the garage if I went out now to take pictures. =)

[Captain Kitty]

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/CaptainKitty13/IMG_8668.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/CaptainKitty13/IMG_8669.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/CaptainKitty13/IMG_8670.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/CaptainKitty13/IMG_8671.jpg
Ok, got some pics. Let me know if you need better angles, etc. Pay no mind to the messy garage. It too is a work in progress. =)

[jackiomy]

Pretty cool. Any pics of you jumping up and down on it? LOL

[zzyzx85]

Looks pretty solid to me. Fill it up slowly :).

[PsyKick]

should be fine...

[Captain Kitty]

I wish... the only living thing in the house awake right now aside from me is the enormous spider also residing in the garage. I asked nicely, but it gave me the finger and took one of my beers. Maybe I should fumigate. =)
Any idea if I need to sturdy this up?

[247Plants]

no more sturdy necessary. that thing is solid.

[Captain Kitty]

Thank you for the reassurance and the advice on filling slowly. I suppose that was just common sense eluding me once again. =) I'll try it out by filling it in the garage, slowly. If it holds, great! If not, that spider will be getting what's coming to him...and I'll have a clean garage!

[247Plants]

Ive had more on less for years....if that makes any sense.

[James0816]

It may be ok. I see all the weight will be on the middle of the buffet as the tank is smaller length wise and not going to get good distribution out on the edges. The middle dividers look be made of 1/8" particle board. Can you get better pics of the center areas up to the top?

[snoopy65]

I have a 55 gal on top of the bottom half of a china cabinet.....ie the buffet part. It is full with water, lots of rock (mbuna tank), and fish.........It looks about the same as what you have and is just fine.

[mostlycichlids]

You will be fine, fill it up!

[The Zigman]

I think you'll be fine with that..

[fishorama]

I use a buffet for a 55g. I removed the very thin back panel for hoses etc & put in some vertical 2x4 & 1x3 pieces 3-4 fornt & back. They're not attached just wedged in. Gives me a little peace of mind but its been ok for about 15 years. I worry more about the crappy veneer over particleboad top, yours looks more solid.

[bghill]

I would rather use a buffet, credenza, sofa table or whatever you want to call it. Much better looking than an aquaruim stand IMO. I use a 6 foot credenza for my 10 gal, 15 gal, and gecko. 1/2 for file storage and half for fish stuff storage.

I recently changed the 25 in this picture to a 33 and bought a used buffet off Craigslist and it is doing fine.

Yours looks like it is older (built back when things were meant to last) and appears very sturdy. I don't think you will have any problems.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll193/bghill1/fishroom5.jpg